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Post by dusty350 on Jun 15, 2022 20:13:42 GMT 1
You've seen it before - the Swiss import 250Lc I bought recently; 20220426_184732 by dusty miller, on Flickr 20220426_184804 by dusty miller, on Flickr Apart from the paint it's pretty much as Yamaha delivered it to Switzerland all those years ago, as far as I can tell. When it was delivered to me (unseen), I started feeling guilty about tearing into it for yet another hybrid build, so briefly advertised it here thinking someone would want a standard bike not needing too much work. It's staying now though, and this is a separate thread from the Fzrd build to keep things simple !! The 350 engine I'm rebuilding will go in this when it's done. There's nothing wrong with the 250 engine as such - I've never had a bike start so easily - just breathe on the kickstart and it fires up, first time every time, and is sooo quiet ! But the 350 is going in, and provided I dont have any budget issues (hahaha, unlikely ) I will keep the 250 engine as it's a matching numbers lump to the frame. Plans are twin disc up front, twin horns, maybe a 350 rear wheel, and refurb of everything else. I was gonna do the Rgv thing again, but I've done it to the last 4 builds now, and as much as I love it I'm not sure I have the inclination anymore (or the ever increasing amounts of cash to do it). I've bitten the bullet, and Mark Cordwell is doing the paint on a new tank and panel set. This helped make my mind up as the tanks are drying up, and the rumour is there wont be any more made. I will either keep the original tank as it's really good inside, or may even flog it on. Centre stand and mirrors will go - I dont feel that guilty !! - and I fancy chrome small can Allspeeds, as for me, there is no better looking pipe on an Lc. Will keep indicators and everything thing else (until I change my mind, coz I always do !!), and it will be one of my more reserved builds from a hybrid point of view. Once the engine is near completion, the strip down will start Dusty
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Post by donkeychomp on Jun 15, 2022 21:17:28 GMT 1
Great to hear this Dusty. It's a lovely little thing and I'm glad you're going to restore her.
Alex
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Jun 15, 2022 21:38:15 GMT 1
I love your builds dusty but sad its not staying stock this time, but that's just me being a green queen. Good luck with it and look forward to your thread.
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Post by dusty350 on Jun 15, 2022 22:20:54 GMT 1
Cheers guys I've never done totally stock - always had to mess around with them ever since I was 16. Some more than others of course. This will be more stock than special though. Even a quick reckoner on costs show it's going to be tight. The sale of the 400 hybrid is funding this and the Fzrd, although all remaining funds are getting channelled to this build for now. I spent 360 quid with Fowlers today, just on engine parts, and I'm not finished yet That's another reason it will keep a lot of original features - sourcing hybrid running gear and then refurbing it is no fun anymore, and takes too much money. I know there are cheaper alternatives to Rgv/Gsxr, but I'm not too bothered with those parts for this bike. Always looking to do something different, and for me, staying nearer to stock is definitely not something I've done with an Lc before Dusty
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Post by sidney81 on Jun 17, 2022 22:20:39 GMT 1
🙂👌👍
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Post by yamark on Jun 19, 2022 16:05:02 GMT 1
Whatever happens, you will make the right decision mate.
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Post by Gunny on Jun 19, 2022 16:42:23 GMT 1
Metmachex !!
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Post by dusty350 on Jun 19, 2022 19:36:07 GMT 1
Already ordered ! Should be here this week
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Post by dusty350 on Jun 21, 2022 20:30:21 GMT 1
The first of the big parts has arrived; 20220621_191055 by dusty miller, on Flickr 20220621_191029 by dusty miller, on Flickr A nice shiny Metmachex arm for an Lc wheel Tamsyn and Garry are awesome. I messaged Tamsyn over the weekend, it's in stock, posted yesterday and arrived today. I love these swingarms - always wanted them as a kid but could never afford one. All my builds have to have them now !! Couple of parts have been pinched from the Fzrd, namely the Dyna coil with Taylor leads, and an aftermarket CDI unit which I might try. The ali side cover came with the spares for the Fzr, and will go on the 350 ngine once it's done; 20220621_191249 by dusty miller, on Flickr Allspeeds are ordered, as is the bodykit that Mark Cordwell is painting for me. Dusty
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Jun 21, 2022 20:46:51 GMT 1
Shiney shiney shiney.
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Post by donkeychomp on Jun 21, 2022 21:41:56 GMT 1
Pricy pricy pricy. But worth it! Going to be another looker Dusty.
Alex
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Post by dusty350 on Jun 21, 2022 22:12:17 GMT 1
Thanks More an 80's era special than a modernish hybrid (till I change my mind !!) Pipes will be small can, in chrome. Paint is KR yellow but without the pigeon on the side panels or the Kenny scribble on the tank. Seat will stay original shape, but will get a new cover. I might think about an early Pv front end to beef the forks up a bit, but use the Lc wheel with it, we'll see. Dont plan on cutting or welding anything on this one Dusty
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zed
Weekend rider
Posts: 90
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Post by zed on Jun 22, 2022 5:39:13 GMT 1
Paintwork will be much better without the pigeon or the Kenny scribble imho 👍
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Post by mouse on Jun 22, 2022 6:25:41 GMT 1
Looking good Dusty, nice to start amassing parts for the build, exciting times!
Mouse
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Post by JonW on Jun 23, 2022 1:08:23 GMT 1
nice. going to be good when done, I do love lightly modded bikes where you have to look to see whats been done. Your comment on prices of parts had me thinking about restored bike prices. With inflation of prices of 'things' which includes parts, the price of worked on bikes will go up more I guess... hmm...
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Post by dusty350 on Sept 11, 2022 8:11:22 GMT 1
Just had a week in the Peak district, Derbyshire. What a stunning landscape ! Fantastic biking roads too. On the way home south yesterday, I popped into Mark Cordwell, and picked up my paintset for this build; 20220910_181230 by dusty miller, on Flickr Another fantastic job on new tank, panels, tail and muddie Nothing radical, but I like bright colours and it's the first yellow scheme I've had done for me. Mark confirmed the pattern tanks are drying up now, so I'm glad I bit the bullet and went for new. The new pipes arrived a couple of weeks ago too; 20220823_172942 by dusty miller, on Flickr A Yss shock is next on the shopping list, and then that should be all the big parts bought. Tyres will need replacing, but that will be further down the line at rolling chassis stage. I have a few jobs to finish at home, then I can start stripping the bike down and refurbing parts, just in time for the winter nights Dusty
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neil
Thrash Merchant
my 125
Posts: 385
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Post by neil on Sept 11, 2022 13:09:14 GMT 1
Fantastic job! I'll be watching this thread with great interest. Neil
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Post by yamark on Sept 11, 2022 17:00:10 GMT 1
I know I'm being a touch repetitive, but that paintwork is just superb, love the colour. As always, nice choice on the exhausts. Someone is going to end up with an amazing LC
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Post by dusty350 on Sept 11, 2022 19:02:49 GMT 1
Mark is certainly very good at what he does Should transform the bike I hope. And I dont know what you mean Mark - I'm gonna keep this one.....
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Post by donkeychomp on Sept 11, 2022 21:27:08 GMT 1
Wow! Love the paint scheme mate, glad there are no Kenny Roberts bits on it lol.
Alex
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Post by mouse on Sept 12, 2022 6:45:03 GMT 1
Paintwork looks superb, another Cordwell masterpiece!
Mouse
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Post by shandyboy on Sept 12, 2022 10:54:21 GMT 1
Looking good Dusty, nice parts and the paint looks sweet Buddy
Alan
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Post by dusty350 on Sept 17, 2022 21:04:22 GMT 1
Cheers Alan Think I have a "Plan A" now ! Been thinking a bit more on which direction to take this in. I'm very much a hybrid builder, but having done 4 in a row with Rgv running gear, it may be time to go a bit more old skool. Because I've done it a lot, but also the cost of parts now, and I'm not sure I can justify the expenditure. I did consider stripping some parts off the Tz Cafe Racer bike, as, in all honesty, it will probably never get finished and will end up an ornament, but I know if I strip it, it will never see the light of day again, so I've resisted doing that. So Plan A is to swap the Lc forks for early Pv 31k's. 35mm, clock mounts and bar mounts on the yokes are as per the Lc, and I can still use the Lc mudguard that is new and freshly painted. I think I may go with the Pv wheels too. I've always liked the early valve wheels - I loved them on my old 430e I built back in the day, and you get a rear disc too. It's the original hybrid wheel swap !. A Pv rear will fit the Lc Metmachex with some milling of the caliper carrier, or maybe a new carrier and caliper ? A lot of my thinking is driven by the condition of parts on the donor 250. If all Swiss and German bikes are like this, I would never buy a Uk bike again. Maybe I've been lucky, but a lot of guys on here have good experiences with European imports, due to their stricter rules regarding modifications. Even the inside of the tank is pretty mint - dont understand how that would be after all these years, but I cant believe how good it is for it's age. But I've got a new paintset now so it will make way, along with the other panels. Seat will get recovered due to a tear which I guess is from a ratchet strap, as the side panel has corresponding damage. Lidl have staple guns for sale this weekend, so might be worth the investment. I stripped the first parts off today; 20220917_160715 by dusty miller, on Flickr 20220917_161528 by dusty miller, on Flickr No nasty surprises yet. The headlight looks a pattern item - not sure if that's due to Uk laws, but otherwise everything seems intact and unmolested. I plan to strip it down to the frame, get it powdercoated along with the other cycle parts, and then build back up using as much of the original as possible, refurbing each part as I go. The 350 engine I'm building will go in, keep the airbox and fit the Allspeeds. I've pinched the hydraulic clutch from the Fzrd, along with the coil and a new switchgear, and levers and mounts/master cylinders. Should all be fairly straightforward Dusty
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Post by sidney81 on Sept 17, 2022 21:28:11 GMT 1
Hi dusty,just caught up on this ,Looks great so far,paint is lovely watching with interest 🙂
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Post by dusty350 on Sept 18, 2022 8:27:57 GMT 1
Cheers Chris, Nothing radical with this build. Should all be fairly straightforward ! Dusty
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Post by yamark on Sept 18, 2022 16:55:45 GMT 1
This is the most "normal build" I've ever seen you do . I think you have made the right choice not to scavenge parts from the Cafe racer.
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Post by donkeychomp on Sept 18, 2022 21:40:10 GMT 1
+1
Alex
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Post by dusty350 on Sept 18, 2022 21:54:28 GMT 1
Yep, will be as close to standard as I've ever been ! I did lift the sheet on the Cafe bike a few times, but cant bring myself to strip it. Maybe it will end up in the front room some day ! I stripped some more parts off today; 20220918_193724 by dusty miller, on Flickr All the plastcs will clean up nicely as they are in pretty good condition. I want to get it stripped down to a rolling chassis so I can mess around with a Ypvs rear wheel - when I get one - so once it has been modded to fit the standard arm, I know it will go in the Metmachex once I start the rebuild. Dusty
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Post by sidney81 on Sept 19, 2022 7:58:01 GMT 1
Hi dusty , it's crazy to even think you considered stripping the café bike ! That baby needs to be finished 😎👌
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Post by dusty350 on Sept 19, 2022 8:13:04 GMT 1
Hi Chris The Cafe serves as a useful reminder to finish a build before you start the next !! It's the bespoke wiring loom that stalled the project being finished, plus other, easier project bikes were in motion. I've done this more than once - had 2 on the go - so I should know but it seems I didn't heed my own advice regards the Cafe bike !! I always knew it would be a bike I personally wouldn't ride, but I had the urge to build it for many years. I did think pinching the running gear would progress this Lc quickly and cheaply, but with the bike wheeled outside, I realise that can never happen. Not everyone's "cup of tea" and probably unrideable for any distance by a lot of us of a "certain age", but it ticks the aesthetics boxes for me 20220312_161258 by dusty miller, on Flickr Dusty
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